Here's the next instalment, as always any reviews/faves are greatly appreciated. Enjoy! :)


A damp, mouldy odour lingered in the evening air. The room was depressing, with peeling blue wallpaper and rough wooden floors. Cold breezes whirled through the room, creating a permanent chill. 15 plastic chairs were organised in a wide circle, with a big oak table moved to the side. A sign saying 'Addicts Anonymous Thursday 8:30-9:30pm' hung on the window. There had been a big movement through NYC recently to have more generalised addiction meetings; having sufferers of different addictions talk together seemed to help recovery and understanding of other people.

At 8:30, people began to file in through the open doors, dragging their feet and with begrudging eyes glued to the floor. Some people, such as the brunette woman, had chosen to be there. Others, such as several of the older men, were there as part of a rehab and recovery program ordered by the government or their doctors to attend the meetings. The brunette woman sat on the chair closest to the door. She felt nervous being here; it had taken a lot of courage for her to admit she needed help and to go and get it. Her boss, a recovering alcoholic, had recommended the group leader, therefore leaving her with little choice but to go. She hadn't planned to tell anyone of her drinking problem, but an addict can always recognise another.

"Hello everyone! I'm Marty, the group leader. I'm so happy you're here and you're already on the path to recovery and overcoming your addiction by being here. Today is the start of a new month, so we'll start by introducing ourselves and our addiction." Marty was a kind-eyed, black man with a snaking tattoo sleeve running up his right, well-endowed bicep. His body language was welcoming and open; friendliness was exceptionally important in helping addicts realise that they are not alone.

"Hi, I'm Alexandra and I'm a gambling addict." The blonde murmured shyly to the rest of the group. The brunette woman sitting opposite her suddenly jerked her head up - she'd recognise that velvet, rich as molasses voice anywhere. As they became locked in each other's gaze, sparks flew. A fire ignited between the two women; as always, the sexual tension between them was undeniable. You could cut the sudden tension with a knife.

"I-I'm Olivia and I'm an alcoholic." The brunette husked. She was a detective for the NYPD SVU at the 1-6, and Alex was the NYC A.D.A who often worked alongside the SVU. There had always been...something unexplainable between the two women, but they'd so far both ignored the unassailable pull. Ever since they'd first met, both had wanted to take their relationship further but neither dared threatening the strong friendship they already had. Then again, Alex's company made Olivia feel nothing short of euphoric; seeing Olivia in the 1-6 made Alex's heart soar higher than heaven. Clearly, the growing desire between the two women wasn't undeniable for much longer. Alex's eyes bore into the brunette's soul, discovering every one of her secrets. At the same time, the A.D.A couldn't bear to look away from Olivia, eternally captured by her beauty.

The rest of the meeting flew by. Time seemed to fluctuate whilst the women looked at each other; their unspoken bond harboured more energy than a supernovae explosion. Everyone and everything else became irrelevant when they were in each other's company - it was a miracle they managed to get work done together at the 1-6. Before they knew it, the meeting was over and people were leaving. Marty was packing up the chairs as they approached each other.

"Alex. I didn't expect to see you here." A tinge of a sorrow leaked into the detective's voice. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as she looked over the A.D.A. Alex looked...sad. Broken.

"Same...I didn't know you were struggling. Liv I wish you'd have told me."

"Alex! I wish you'd have told me!" Olivia clasped Alex's cold, shaking hands. The meeting had taken a lot of the attorney's strength away, leaving her weak and slightly shivering. Alex collapsed into Olivia's chest, immediately welcomed by the detective's protective arms. If only those arms could protect her from her inner turmoil. At the back of Olivia's mind, the constant reminder to drink became more persistent as soon as she drew away from Alex's body. Demons itched to escape and fill her mind with her worst memories.

"Alex...please come home with me tonight? I know it's forward but-"

"Of course I will. I know exactly how you're feeling; if I go home alone I'll find it extremely hard to resist the poker table."

"Exactly. If you stay, I'll have a reason not to drink. Thanks Alex."

Olivia's hazel eyes were filled with gratitude as she smiled softly at the attorney. Hidden behind black-rimmed glasses, Alex's eyes glittered with renewed hope. The two women remained holding hands as they left the room and entered the warm night.


Evening sun threw amber beams across the detective's apartment. Scents of coffee lingered in the warm air as the two women opened the door.

"Sit down, I'll make you some coffee." Olivia murmured softly to the attorney, who quickly sat down on the brown leather sofa. They were each doing the other woman a great favour by being together; it prevented Olivia from drinking herself into oblivion, and it prevented Alex from gambling until the sun came up.

Alex thanked the detective as she handed her a blue mug of coffee. She wrapped her elegant hands around the hot cup and moved closer to Olivia, huddling up to the detective's inviting body. Warmth filled Alex's limbs. Whilst nestled up together, both women found complete comfort and bliss.

"Alex...what can I do to help you?" Olivia whispered into the A.D.A's ear, gently winding the blonde's hair through her fingers.

Thoughtfully, Alex considered all the things she'd have to forfeit if she gave up gambling - the buzz, the adrenaline rush, the thrill. But surely there was another way to experience them? She just just had to find it.

"Help me find a way find get the same excitement as I found in gambling, and I promise I'll never gamble again." Alex spoke softly. Eyes wide with honesty, she reached for Olivia's waiting hands.

"We're going to find something that makes you feel so fucking amazing you're going to forget poker even exists." Olivia solemnly promised; she reassuringly squeezed the attorney's hand and left a lingering kiss on her cheek. With her other hand, Olivia swept blonde hair back off Alex's face, revealing her beautiful features. Running her thumb slowly across the attorney's pronounced, flushed cheekbones, the detective resolutely decided she would do whatever it took to help Alex.

The A.D.A's heart soared. She had never experienced the level of attention and love Olivia gave her; more often than not, people only cared about Alex if they got something in return. Olivia cared because she cared. Simple as. Overwhelmed with the detective's kind, swimming eyes, Alex broke eye contact and looked around the living room; everything was so homely and warm. Suddenly, she saw several whisky and red wine bottles hiding behind the toaster.

Alex stood up abruptly and quickly opened all the bottles. She didn't give the detective a chance to argue before she poured them all down the sink simultaneously.

"Alex! What the fuck?" Olivia slammed down her coffee cup and ran over to the sink. Scents of alcohol lingering in the air sent Olivia's brain into overdrive. The detective inhaled sharply whilst hopelessly tried to grab the bottles off Alex, desperate to save some of her precious alcohol.

When the last drop had fallen from the bottles, Olivia began to cry. She hated the dependency she had on alcohol, but she couldn't help but give in to the emotions that overwhelmed her. Sobs wracked her whole body, causing her legs to weaken. As the brunette slowly collapsed, Alex dropped the bottles and caught her. Olivia knew that, although it hurt now, Alex had done the right thing and it comforted the detective to know Alex clearly cared about her. Olivia was equally devoted to the attorney, but she just had to find a way to help her.

"Thankyou." The honest tone of Olivia's voice made Alex realise just how grateful the detective really was.

Eventually, the pair found themselves in the detective's welcoming double bed. Down feather pillows and duvets surrounded the pair - if there was one thing Liv was good at, it was being comfortable. The two women were happily spooning, Olivia's body protectively wrapped around the attorney's smaller frame. Limbs entangled, no position had ever felt so natural and right to either women. Soon enough, two heartbeats had synchronised to beat as one.


02:56AM flashed red on the alarm clock. Alex suddenly sat up, her breathing laboured. As she started to get out of the bed, when she was intercepted by the quick detective's arms. The attorney fought against the detective's entrapment, but to no avail. Alex continued trying to escape Olivia's cocoon, but the detective kept the attorney prisoner until she felt her muscles relax and her breathing calm down. Sobs wracked through her fragile frame, rising in pitch as she realised she wasn't able to gamble. The detective's fingers caressed Alex's flushed cheeks, wiping away the streams of salty tears.

"Where are you going? What's wrong Al?" An edge of panic infiltrated Olivia's sleepy voice.

"Poker. I play at this time." Alex then continued to hopelessly struggle against the detective's strong arms. Even though the attorney wanted to stay in bed with Olivia, the urge to go to the gambling club was too big to ignored. Eventually, she collapsed against Olivia's body, her chest heaving from exertion. The detective had decided to wear Alex out before talking to her; the compulsion to give into her addiction glinted in the A.D.A's ice blue eyes. Usually Olivia was the complicated one in a relationship. But it was now clear that Olivia wasn't the only one in this pair that came with baggage.

"Alex, it's okay. You need to hold off and stay strong. It's hard, I know, but you're stronger than this. Old habits die hard, but they do die eventually. You can do this. Shh.. it's okay." Olivia whispered to Alex, whilst stroking her blonde hair and laying reassuring kisses on the attorney's head. Alex wrapped her weary arms around Olivia and sighed into her chest, having finally stopped weeping.

"I know. Sorry for w-waking you." Alex breathed, her voice husky with sleep. Guilt filled her wide eyes; the attorney couldn't help but feel like a burden to Olivia.

"No way. Anytime you need me, day or night, I'm here for you. Alex we're, you're, going to get through this."

Both women slept soundlessly for the rest of the night, content smiles playing upon both of their lips. Nightmares that usually haunted Olivia when she was sober made no appearance - nothing troubled the detective whilst she was next to Alex.